Trying to re-jumpstart my dream

as i am now 8 weeks from completion of the two final classes i need to complete my rn to bsn program i find myself trying to decide if i should try for my dream of working in the nicu again. as some know i am one of those unlucky few that have not found employment since originally graduating. i'm no longer a new grad, just a new nurse. there are several nicu positions near me that are welcoming to new grads, including at least one level 2. my question is should i keep trying? i can't even seem to get interviews for regular units. one hospital that i would love to work for rejects my application so quickly that i know no manager ever actually sees it.

after what happened when i was an rna my confidence was completely shattered. after some self reflection i came to realize that i would have to either give up my dream or at least defer it for awhile. i do wonder if there is something wrong with me as i am serious when i say i haven't had a single interview in 3 years of applying. i have had professors and the career resource person at my school look at my resume and cover letter and both are excellent. i call to check on my application and can never get to speak to a nurse recruiter. i have even tried call managers directly and well, it doesn't work for me.

i've had at least one instructor encourage me to go to graduate school, but i cannot and will not commit to that until and unless i work in the area i'm interested in first. plus, it's required.

to make a long story short, i thought i was doing well during orientation to nicu and apparently i wasn't. i was terminated right before i was to take nclex. i honestly thought i was doing ok, just needed to work on time management and seeing the big picture. at least that's what i was being told anyway. i only lasted my 120 hour preceptorship time. talk about feeling like a failure.

Jun 17, '12

Ok. Working in a pediatric unit or regular newborn nursery for at least a year or two would greatly build your skills and time management. If you've had problems finding work in that area, you may want to consider moving.

Ok. Working in a pediatric unit or regular newborn nursery for at least a year or two would greatly build your skills and time management. If you've had problems finding work in that area, you may want to consider moving.

I can't afford to relocate, at least not out of state. I'm been looking at the smaller hospitals in my state and still no luck...yet. I'm not limiting myself to just pediatric/nursery jobs either. I'm just wondering if I should go ahead and apply to the NICU positions I'm finding? Won't hurt to apply right?

Jun 18, '12

It doesn't hurt to apply, however I would not include info about your previous experience in NICU. Hope this helps.

Jun 18, '12

hi- abs. do not include your negative experience on your resume. in interview-u can always say something like u were in a personal life situation that took so much of your energy-has resoved and resolved well. tell them before they start to ask u-that way u can tell them what u need to rather than they quickly fill in the blanks themselves. exp with kids is a golden attribute-u are probably competing with this group. have u thought of something like a 'headstart' or 'wellkids' programs. do not pay well-but- gives great exp in dealing with well and not well little ones, managing time and working with local doctors-this could open some doors for u. good luck

Jun 18, '12

hi- abs. do not include your negative experience on your resume. in interview-u can always say something like u were in a personal life situation that took so much of your energy-has resoved and resolved well.&nbsp;tell them before they start to ask u-that way u can tell them what u need to rather than they quickly fill in the blanks themselves.&nbsp; exp with kids is a golden attribute-u are probably competing with this group. have u thought of something like a 'headstart' or 'wellkids' programs. do not pay well-but- gives great exp in dealing with well and not well little ones, managing time and working with local doctors-this could open some doors for u.&nbsp; good luck<img class="inlineimg" title="Stick Out Tongue" border="0" alt="" src="http://img.an-file.info/smilies/tongue.gif" smilieid="10"><br><br><br>

Jun 18, '12

I've included it as an preceptorship, which it was, not under employment. I've played up all my strengths and think I've got a pretty excellent resume. It's that "no experience" thing thats hurting me for whatever I apply for.

Jun 19, '12

Never give up trying!! If you don't at least try you WILL fail!!. So if others have looked at your resume and it was ok, is anything negative on your license? if not keep trying. Maybe try a med-surg position. When working with children you must be ( I think) top notch, because you are dealing with the young, whose parents surround you like vultures, watching everything you do and that is ok because I would be the same way if my child was hospitalized. My sister was hospitalized and the RN came to check her blood sugar and she did not even know how to use the machine, and was about to stick her again when I noticed it was not the machine but the nurse who did know how to use the machine. I was told she was a "seasoned" nurse. It that was my child I would have reacted differently.
Best wishes to you

Jun 20, '12

[FONT=comic sans ms]I'm going to keep trying. I've tried googling "level 2 nursery or intermediate care nicu or level 2 nicu" with no luck. Even searching for nicu is not easy, so I've been searching children's hospital. I know I said I can't afford to relocate and I can't, but at this point I do not think I have much of a choice. I know somewhere, somehow there is a job for me, even if it's not NICU to start out with.